Friends: Subverting Traditional Relationship Constructs
Ok, so jesslat is currently rewatching all of Friends (no idea why - they are on a constant circuit on E4 anyway) and I wandered in today. It was The One with the Boobies (1.13) and I found myself intrigued. I had watched it before, of course, many times, but I never really realised the questions it raised. For those of you not as familiar with the episode, Joey finds out his father has been having an affair with a woman named Ronni for 6 years. Appalled, he orders his father to either break it off with Ronni or tell Mrs Tribiani. But it turns out that his mother knew all along and allowed the affair to continue, as it made Mr Trib happy and nicer to everyone.
This is a very interesting relationship, one which I'm sure exists. And is that so bad? Society and morality (in some philosophies) dictates that cheating is bad, and that we should be monogamous. But is this always the right way? In this episode, Mr Trib is in love with both women, for different reasons, and finds it impossible to choose between them. And the situation works, or at least it functions. Ronni is happy with her lot - she gets to be with the one she loves, even though he is married. Mr Trib is happy but guilty, so he showers his wife with attention, treating her better than when he was monogamous. Mrs Trib prefers her husband this way (as before he was "always yelling" and apparently not a nice person to be around), although in a perfect world she would be the only one for him and he would "look like Sting".
So is this so bad? Joey has to learn to let go, and allows the situation to continue as before. However, we can never be sure whether it worked as well, as now that Mr Trib has confessed to his wife, will he continue to be jealous? Will he still treat her the same?
In this episode, Friends subverts the popular view of a monogamous relationship being the only way, and cheating being wrong. It reveals a relationship that is not perfect, but works better than it did when it was monogamous. As the characters in question are over 40 it also implies that constricting romantic rules fall away as time goes by, in favour of happiness and an easy life.
Very interesting. Also I adore the psychoanalytical comments that Phoebe's boyfriend-of-the-episode Roger has to make about the main characters. Brilliant and funny insights into their personalities and also an interesting point about knowing too much about one's own mind and motivations.
Also I apologise to jesslat for making these observations when she was just trying to relax and watch Friends. I'll try not to do it again :P
Also also SQUEEEEE to Ugly Betty! SPOILER ALERT: yay for Hilda and Bobby getting engaged :D:D:D Hehe Ugly Betty always gives me warm fuzzies. I'm still perplexed as to why it was cancelled. Because come one, awesome show is awesome.
Well, time for Angel and bed. Night!
~Lili
.
This is a very interesting relationship, one which I'm sure exists. And is that so bad? Society and morality (in some philosophies) dictates that cheating is bad, and that we should be monogamous. But is this always the right way? In this episode, Mr Trib is in love with both women, for different reasons, and finds it impossible to choose between them. And the situation works, or at least it functions. Ronni is happy with her lot - she gets to be with the one she loves, even though he is married. Mr Trib is happy but guilty, so he showers his wife with attention, treating her better than when he was monogamous. Mrs Trib prefers her husband this way (as before he was "always yelling" and apparently not a nice person to be around), although in a perfect world she would be the only one for him and he would "look like Sting".
So is this so bad? Joey has to learn to let go, and allows the situation to continue as before. However, we can never be sure whether it worked as well, as now that Mr Trib has confessed to his wife, will he continue to be jealous? Will he still treat her the same?
In this episode, Friends subverts the popular view of a monogamous relationship being the only way, and cheating being wrong. It reveals a relationship that is not perfect, but works better than it did when it was monogamous. As the characters in question are over 40 it also implies that constricting romantic rules fall away as time goes by, in favour of happiness and an easy life.
Very interesting. Also I adore the psychoanalytical comments that Phoebe's boyfriend-of-the-episode Roger has to make about the main characters. Brilliant and funny insights into their personalities and also an interesting point about knowing too much about one's own mind and motivations.
Also I apologise to jesslat for making these observations when she was just trying to relax and watch Friends. I'll try not to do it again :P
Also also SQUEEEEE to Ugly Betty! SPOILER ALERT: yay for Hilda and Bobby getting engaged :D:D:D Hehe Ugly Betty always gives me warm fuzzies. I'm still perplexed as to why it was cancelled. Because come one, awesome show is awesome.
Well, time for Angel and bed. Night!
~Lili
.